Ceremonial rush
Hello everyone, Animeman73 here again. It’s time for another #BASwordtember challenge. The day 10 word/subject is: Holy.
This is going to be a very therapeutic vignette. Delving into dark fantasy brought up thoughts on my own potential for darker things.
This vignette, is from the universe of my high-fantasy serial the Willowsbrook Chronicles.
The first chapter I have pinned to the top of my Minds page. And check out the bottom of each chapter to see how you can support or at least follow my efforts.
With that self-promotion out of the way, on with the goodness.
Acolyte Joseph Kerrian dashed down a corridor of the Holy Palace.
Mallastra have mercy, the 19-year-old thought. I had to get so caught up in my studies that I lost track of the time. I hope by the Lady of Love and Compassion I'm not too late.
He ran around several sets of people. "Slow down Kerrian!" one of the men called.
But the young man kept up his pace and reached an intersecting corridor.
He retained the presence of mind to stop himself. That saved him from colliding with the large group of priests and paladins. A group that carried an exquisite sword on a dark blue pillow.
The paladin leading the group stepped forward. The middle-aged man with greying blonde hair shook his head in disapproval. "You're late Acolyte." he chided.
The young man bowed. "Lord Argosun, please forgive me."
“Caught up with your studies again Acolyte Kerrian?” The bodyguard and brother of Prophetess Josephine the Second asked.
“Yes milord.” He answered in a sheepish tone.
The people grumbled and shook their heads in a disapproving fashion.
“You need to keep better track of time boy." The Paladin of the Heart pointed out, before he pointed to his right. "All right attendant, fall in beside me."
The young man obeyed. The convoy began their slow march. And Joseph sensed the other Priests and Paladins glaring at him.
Lord Argosun and the Prophetess are right, I have to work on my keeping track of time. The question is how? The young priest thought.
The young man began to chant the needed hymns for the ceremony that was taking place. The group's march took them to a set of two-story tall double doors. the doors had a picture of the Blessed Lady of Love and Compassion carved into them.
Joseph watched as Lord Argosun drew his ceremonial sword from its sheath. He strode up to the doors and tapped on them three times. "In the name of the Blessed Lady and her will, we ask for entry!" he called.
From within more chanting started. Two paladins pushed open the doors.
Before Joseph was a large and regal cathedral chamber. A stained-glass window far above them let the light of the sun through in a dazzling array of colors. The rays of sun shone on a large marble altar. Behind the altar was a woman of middle years who still bore traces of her beauty.
May she forgive me, the young man thought in trepidation.
The Prophetess wore her long flowing bright white ceremonial attire. "Bring the sword here!" she called in a commanding tone.
“Mallastra’s will be done!" Joseph and the others in the convoy responded with.
The group proceeded into the room. Good thing I remembered to get some water from the holy fountain, Joseph thought to himself.
Once in front of the altar Joseph went around the left side of it, as Lord Argosun proceeded around the right. Each stood at either side of the head of the Mallastra church.
One of the priests removed the blade from the cushion.
The sword was set on the sacred altar. The prophetess looked down on the sword and nodded her approval. “Weapon Smith Garrison’s work is magnificent. This will make a perfect vessel for Mallastra’s power.” She declared.
“Blessed be!” the male and female priests in the chamber all chanted. The Prophetess then leaned over to Joseph. “Got caught up in your studies again my young attendant?” she asked in wry amusement.
Joseph turned to the head of his church and muttered. “Yes Excellency, my sincere apologies.”
“Do you have the water as I asked?”
The young priest moved to the pockets of his robes. It didn’t take long for him to find and withdraw the closed vial of liquid. The Prophetess plucked the vial out of his hands. “Well done young one, you’ve come through when needed most.”
The young man gulped down his fear. Relieved that the Prophetess approved of his efforts. “Thank you voice of the Blessed Lady.” He responded.
He watched as the woman sprinkled the holy water on the sword.
The blade began to sparkle with light. The beams of sun from the window shined brighter. The sword started to glow with blue light that radiated a holy aura. Remembering ceremonial procedure, the young acolyte lowered his head. He took a breath and began to sing out the sacred hymns of the Goddess. Others joined in the chant.
He felt a surge of great and holy power build up in the room. Joseph was in awe of this power and felt like it would overwhelm him. The acolyte backed away a step as he covered his eyes.
After several moments the light faded. The chanting stopped. Joseph opened his eyes and gaped. The sword was floating in midair, glowing with that same blue light. “Done!” The Prophetess declared. “The Blessed Lady has deemed this sword worthy of her power.”
“Blessed be the Great Lady.” Joseph and Lord Argosun chanted in unison.
“The ceremony is complete. Take this blessed sword of her Ladyship to the vault. It will serve it’s purpose when the time is right.” Josephine the Second commanded.
Lord Argosun walked up to the blade and took it. He turned and bowed. “By your will Prophetess and sister.”
He turned and strolled off. Joseph sighed in relief. Mallastra’s mercy be infinite, that was a near thing, the young man thought.
The room started to empty of those involved with the ceremony. Joseph started to head off. “Hold Joseph,” The Prophetess called.
The man turned towards the woman his face going pale. The Goddess have mercy, here’s where I get a lecture, he thought.
“You did well young one. But you must keep track of the time if you’re to climb up the ladder of the priesthood.”
The young man nodded as he smiled in a sheepish fashion. “Yes Excellency.” He said in resignation.
“On that count young one, I have something for you.”
From a pocket of her robes the lady pulled out a strange locket with a button at the top. She presented it to the young man. The acolyte reached out and took it. “What is this thing?” he asked in open curiosity.
“Press the button and see.” She explained.
The young man obeyed. The front opened up to reveal a face with numbers that went from 1 to 12 going around in a circle.
Three pointers protruded from the center. The thinnest moving the fastest. The smallest one moved the slowest. “What is this thing?” he asked in wonder.
“Something rediscovered from the old world young one. It’s a timekeeper. It’s one of the first built by the one who discovered the device. It’s a means of making sure you’re more prompt.”
The young man looked on the strange invention in awe. “A recreation of a relic from the lost times? Mallastra's praises, I will cherish this device Holy Lady.”
The prophetess nodded her approval. “Good, now come Joseph. We must be off to my office. I have some letters for you to run to some of my flock around the city.”
The two headed off. The young man asked. “Milady, I would ask this. Has there been any mention on the current status of Brother Antonius?”
Swordtember story #9